KEXP Reviews

This New York band’s 2nd album ups the ante of their fine debut with a more eclectic, daring and sophisticated sound and even stronger tunes. While the debut offered up a catchy, fairly straightforward blend of Afro-pop and melodic indie, this time they incorporate a greater variety of musical styles including ska, dancehall and baile funk, fleshed out with richer instrumentation ranging from synths and classical-evoking strings to marimba and kalimba. Frontman Ezra Koenig’s lyrics are as brainy as ever, if occasionally inscrutable. These immensely likeable, often-joyful tunes are a welcome counter to these cold, dark months of winter. 1/7/2010
- Don Yates